No. 21 Volleyball Set for Vital Conference Matchup against No. 25 Missouri
The Gators travel to Columbia, MO. on Friday to face the 9-2 Tigers.
Match Notes<https://floridagators.com/documents/2024/11/14/At_Missouri_Match_Notes.pdf>
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 21 Florida volleyball team travels to Columbia, MO. for a top-25 showdown against the No. 25 Missouri Tigers on Friday, Nov. 15. Friday’s match is vital for the Gators, as Missouri currently sits one spot ahead of Florida in the conference rankings. The Tigers rank second in the league with a 9-2 record, while UF’s 9-3 record ties for third. Both programs sit 18-5 overall on the season and both are currently on win streaks. Missouri has won its last nine conference matches, while Florida has won its last seven.
No. 21 Florida (18-5, 9-3) at No. 25 Missouri (18-5, 9-2).
Friday, Nov. 15 | 8 p.m. ET
Hearnes Center | Columbia, MO.
SECN+ https://bit.ly/4hKIcVJ
Live Stats: https://bit.ly/48Mol4p
Series Information:
* Series Record 13-5 (13-5 under Wise)
* 3-set: 8-1; 4-set: 3-1; 5-set: 2-3
* Home: 7-2; Away: 5-3; Neutral: 1-0
* Last time out | W, 3-0 | A | 25-18, 25-20, 25-20
On Missouri:
* Missouri is 9-0 at home this season with their last loss at home coming to Florida in three sets in their final home match of 2023.
* The Tigers come in ranked No. 25 in the AVCA Polls, their first time being ranked since April 26, 2021.
* In her second season as head coach, Dawn Sullivan has matched both Mizzou’s overall and total from the 2023 campaign. Sullivan earned 2023 SEC Coach of the Year in her first season with the Tigers
* Mizzou’s current nine-match win streak is its longest since going on a 13-match win streak in 2016.
* The Tigers rank first in the nation and in the SEC for assists per set (13.90) and kills per set (14.72), while sitting second behind the Gators in the SEC for hitting percentage (.300) and aces (1.90). In league action alone, Mizzou is first for assists per set (13.99) and kills per set (14.75), while ranking second in aces per set (1.73).
Florida’s last time out:
* The No. 22 Florida volleyball team extends their win streak to seven on Sunday after taking down Alabama 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-17) inside the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The Gators improve to 9-3 in conference play and 18-5 overall.
* Sunday’s win marks the first time since 2021 that Florida has won seven or more SEC matches in a row. The Gators won nine-consecutive conference matches from Oct. 16 to Nov. 21 during the 2021 season when two-match series were played back-to-back due to COVID-19 regulations.
* Florida’s .494 hitting percentage marks a season best and was commanded by setter Alexis Stucky’s 46 assists.
The All-American also posted a team-high five blocks, while recording four digs and two kills.
* Sophomore All-American Kennedy Martin headlined the Gators offense with 16 kills to record her 44th-cosecutive double-digit-kill match. The Fort Mill, S.C. native also led the way for Florida behind the service line with three aces.
* Outside hitter AC Fitzpatrick had 13 kills and hit a career-high a .550 clip (13-2-20). Freshman middle blocker Jaela Auguste was the third and final Gator to finish in double digits with 11 kills. Redshirt senior Isabel Martin chipped in with seven, while freshman middle blocker Alec Rothe contributed to four of Florida’s 53 team kills.
* The Gators held Alabama to a .195 hitting percentage and out blocked the Crimson Tide 7.0-3.0 in the three setter. Other than Stucky’s one solo block and four block assists, Rothe and Auguste totaled three blocks a piece, while K. Martin finished with one block assist.
* In the backcourt, libero Elli McKissock totaled a team-high 15 digs to sit only six away from 2,000 career digs. The Martin duo each picked up six of their own, while five Gators added to Florida’s 39 team digs: Fitzpatrick (4), Stucky (4), junior Emily Canaan (2), junior Emerson Hoyle (1) and Auguste (1).
Match Notes Preview:
* KENNEDY MARTIN NAMED AVCA POTY SEMIFINALIST
* Florida volleyball’s Kennedy Martin has been named a semifinalist for the AVCA Division I Player of the Year Award presented by Nike Volleyball, revealed on Nov. 14 by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
* The original list of 36 players was released Sept. 20, and the 16 additions were named Oct. 17. Redshirt senior Isabel Martin joined her fellow Gator on the Watch List.
* The names of the finalists will be released before the AVCA Convention. The 2024 AVCA Player of the Year will be announced on Friday, Dec. 20, in Louisville, KY, during the AVCA Convention. Players not on the semifinalist can still be added back in before the finalists are named.
* ISABEL MARTIN CONNECTION TO TIGERS HEAD COACH
* Florida’s Isabel Martin played her 2021 and 2022 seasons at UNLV under Missouri’s Head Coach Dawn Sullivan. Prior to arriving in Columbia, MO., Coach Sullivan was at UNLV for seven seasons, where she signed Martin when the Mauerstetten, Bavaria, Germany native was at Hillsborough Community College in Florida. Under Sullivan’s guidance, Martin was named Mountain West Player of the Year, AVCA All-American Honorable Mention, AVCA Pacific South All Region, All-Mountain West First Team and Mountain West All-Tournament team during the 2022 season.
* HIT SQUAD: THE POWER OF MANY
* Florida’s front row has seen versatile attacking from all positions at the net. Four different Gators have led the team in kills at least once this season, while five Gator attackers are currently averaging a .300 hitting percentage or higher: Jaela Auguste .405% (K: 141, E:34, TA:264), Kennedy Martin .368% (K:301 E:84, TA:590), Lauren Harden .346% (K:10, E:1, TA:26) Alec Rothe .357% (K:118, E:28, TA:252), Amaya Thomas .368% (K:61, E:98, TA:114)
* IMMEDIATE IMPACT
* Seven of Florida’s fresh faces – Jaela Auguste, Erin Engel, Bella Lee, Taylor Parks, Isabel Martin, Alec Rothe and Lauren Harden – have taken no time to adjust to their new environment. Through 23 matches, the five freshman and two transfers have contributed 47.52% kills, 58.85% assists, 32.72% aces, 27.91% digs, 57.14% block solos, 60.47% block assists, 59.84% total blocks and 47.08% points to Florida’s average stat line.
Looking Ahead:
Following Friday’s match, the Gators stay on the road for their midweek matchup against Auburn on Wednesday, Nov. 20 before returning home to the O’Dome on Saturday, Nov. 23 for Florida’s senior-day match against UCF. Fans can purchase single-game tickets for the remaining match. To purchase, click here<https://am.ticketmaster.com/gators/buy?id=NzEx>. For more information on volleyball tickets, call the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683<tel:3523754683>.
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